Hitch mounted article carriers for vehicles

ABSTRACT

An article carrier configured to be detachably mounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle is disclosed. The article carrier may include a frame having first and second end portions with the first end portion being pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectively pivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position in which the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base, the first axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frame and configured to support one or more articles.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/958,568 entitled “Mast StyleHitch Mounted Racks for Vehicles,” filed Jul. 6, 2007, the completedisclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference for allpurposes.

This application also incorporates by reference for all purposes thecomplete disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,190,195; 5,664,717; 5,950,891;6,206,259; 6,283,349; 6,321,962; 6,409,065; 6,644,525; and 6,745,926;and U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2006/0273125 and 2006/0237504.

BACKGROUND

Vehicle carrier racks are typically mounted on the exterior of a motorvehicle to support bicycles, skis, surf boards, kayaks, etc., above theground. These racks are generally constructed of rigid frame membershaving arms extending horizontally therefrom for supporting objects.Various types of carrier racks are available that may be mounted eitherto the roof, to the trunk, and/or to the rear hitch of the vehicle.

One type of rack, for example, generally used for carrying one or morebicycles adjacent to the rear of a vehicle, is mountable on the rearhitch of the vehicle. Hitch mounted racks include a hitch couplingmember adapted to securely attach to the rear hitch of the vehicle. Anelongated and generally upright mast extends upward from the couplingmember adjacent the rear of the vehicle. Two load-carrying support armsextend outward and rearward from the upper end of the mast. The supportmembers typically include securing devices adapted to fasten bike framesto the rack.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments provide an article carrier configured to be detachablymounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle, the vehicle having alongitudinal axis. The article carrier includes a base having aconnector configured to be detachably mounted to the trailer hitch; aframe having first and second end portions with the first end portionbeing pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectivelypivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position inwhich the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantiallyhorizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base,the first axis being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle;and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frameand configured to support one or more articles.

In some embodiments, the article carrier includes a base having aconnector configured to be detachably mounted to the trailer hitch; aframe having first and second end portions with the first end portionbeing pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectivelypivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position inwhich the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantiallyhorizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base,the first axis being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle;and a carrier assembly configured to support one or more articles,wherein the carrier assembly is pivotably connected to the second endportion of the frame and configured to pivot about a second axis betweena stowed position in which the carrier assembly is parallel to theframe, and an extended position in which the carrier assembly isperpendicular to the frame.

In some embodiments, the bicycle carrier may include a base having aconnector configured to be detachably mounted to the trailer hitch; aframe having first and second end portions with the first end portionbeing pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectivelypivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position inwhich the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantiallyhorizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base,the first axis being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle;and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frameand configured to support one or more bicycles, the carrier assemblyincluding a pair of arms configured to support the one or more articles,each of the pair of arms including a top portion having a plurality ofdepressions sized to receive a portion of an article, and a bottomportion having a slot, and wherein the pair of arms is pivotablyconnected to the second end portion of the frame and configured to pivotbetween a stowed position in which the pair of arms is parallel to theframe, and an extended position in which the pair of arms isperpendicular to the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an article carrier attached to a rearhitch of a vehicle shown supporting a bicycle.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the article carrier of FIG. 1 showing theadjustability of a carrier assembly of the rack between an extendedposition and a stowed position.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the article carrier of FIG. 1 showing theadjustability of a frame of the rack between a use position and anaccess position.

FIG. 4 is a partial isometric view of the article carrier of FIG. 1showing a frame of the rack in a use position.

FIG. 5 is a partial isometric view of the article carrier of FIG. 1showing a frame of the rack in an access position.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the article carrier of FIG. 1 taken alonglines 6-6 in FIG. 4, showing a base with a frame locking mechanism tosecure a frame in a use position.

FIGS. 7-10 are sectional views of the article carrier of FIG. 1 takenalong lines 7-7 in FIG. 11, showing movement of the carrier assembly ofFIG. 1 between an extended position and a stowed position.

FIG. 11 is a partial isometric view of the article carrier of FIG. 1showing a carrier assembly of the rack in an extended position.

FIG. 12 is a partial bottom view of the carrier assembly of FIG. 11,showing a slot on a bottom portion of an arm of the carrier assembly.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the carrier assembly of FIG. 11 takenalong lines 13-13 in FIG. 11, showing an example of a restrainingassembly without an adjustable strap.

FIG. 14 is a partial view of the restraining assembly of FIG. 13 shownwith a portion of a bicycle secured.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the carrier assembly of FIG. 11 takenalong lines 15-15 in FIG. 11, showing another example of a restrainingassembly without an adjustable strap.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the carrier assembly of FIG. 11 takenalong lines 16-16 in FIG. 11, showing the restraining assembly of FIG.15 with a first restraining mechanism and a second restraining mechanismin a proximal position.

FIG. 17 is the restraining assembly of FIG. 16 with the secondrestraining mechanism in a distal position.

FIG. 18 is a partial view of the restraining assembly of FIG. 15 shownwith two portions of a bicycle secured.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts an article carrier 20, which includes any suitablestructure configured to be mounted on a rear or trailer hitch 200 of avehicle 202 having a longitudinal axis L, for carrying one or morearticles 204 adjacent to a rear portion of a vehicle. Any suitabletype(s) of articles may be carried by article carrier 20, such asbicycles, skis, snowboards, kayaks, luggage, bags, etc. When articlecarrier 20 is configured to support bicycles, the article carrier may bereferred to as a “bicycle carrier.”

Article carrier 20 includes base 22, frame (or mast) 24, and carrierassembly 26, as shown in FIGS. 2-3. Carrier assembly 26 may be movablyconnected to frame 24 allowing the carrier assembly to be selectivelymoved among a plurality of positions. For example, carrier assembly 26may be pivotably mounted to the frame allowing the carrier assembly tobe selectively pivoted about a carrier axis C between a stowed positionS in which the carrier assembly is adjacent the frame, and an extendedposition E in which the carrier assembly is spaced from the framerelative to the stowed position, as shown in FIG. 2. In someembodiments, the carrier assembly may be parallel to the frame in thestowed position and/or may be perpendicular to the frame in the extendedposition.

Similarly, frame 24 may be movably connected to base 22 allowing theframe to be selectively moved among a plurality of positions. Forexample, frame 24 may be pivotably mounted to the base allowing theframe to be selectively pivoted about a frame axis F between a useposition (or a substantially vertical position) U in which the frameextends upwardly from the base, and an access position (or asubstantially horizontal position) A in which the frame extendssidewardly from the base, as shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, theframe axis may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.Additionally, or alternatively, the frame axis may be perpendicular tothe carrier axis of the carrier assembly.

Although carrier assembly 26 and frame 24 are shown to be pivotablymounted to the frame and the base, respectively, the carrier assemblyand/or the frame may alternatively, or additionally, be mounted orconnected to the frame and/or base in any suitable way(s), such asslidably or rotatably connected. Additionally, although the frame axisis shown to be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, theframe axis may have any suitable relationship(s) with the longitudinalaxis, such as parallel, non-parallel and non-perpendicular, etc.Moreover, although the frame axis is shown to be perpendicular to thecarrier axis, the frame and carrier axes may have any suitablerelationship(s), such as parallel, non-parallel and non-perpendicular,etc.

Base 22 may include any suitable structure configured to be mounted torear or trailer hitch 200 of vehicle 202 and/or allow frame 24 to beselectively pivoted about the frame axis. For example, the base mayinclude a frame pivoting assembly 28 and a bar 30, as shown in FIGS.4-5. The frame pivoting assembly may include any suitable structureconfigured to allow frame 24 to be selectively pivoted. For example,frame pivoting assembly 28 may include a base aperture 32 and a framelocking mechanism 34, as shown in FIG. 6. The base aperture may beconfigured to receive an axle of the frame and/or may allow the frame topivot about the frame axis.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a stop device is provided to limit pivotingrotation of frame 24 relative to base 22. First stop component 35 a ismounted on base 22. First stop component 35 a rotates with frame 46, asshown in FIG. 5. Second stop component 35 b is mounted below first stopcomponent 35 a on base 22. First stop component 35 a has two lateralwing portions 35 c, 35 d. When frame 46 rotates relative to base 22,wing portion 35 c or wing portion 35 d (FIG. 5) bumps against secondstop component 35 b, thereby preventing frame 24 from further rotation.In a preferred embodiment, wing portion 35 c or wing portion 35 d offirst stop component 35 a bumps second stop component 35 b when frame 24has rotated approximately 90 degrees from vertical (FIG. 4). The stopdevice should be configured to allow sufficient rotation of the frame sothat access to the rear of the vehicle is allowed, while also preventingthe frame or any related structure from hitting the ground. Theconfiguration of first and second stop components 35 a and 35 b permitpivoting of frame 46 toward either side of a vehicle.

Frame locking mechanism 34 may include a frame locking member 36 and aframe bias element 38, as shown in FIG. 6. The frame locking member maybe configured to be selectively received within a locking aperture ofthe frame to lock the frame in the substantially vertical position.Frame bias element 38 may be configured to urge frame locking member 36toward the locking aperture of the frame.

Bar 30 may include any suitable structure configured to be mounted tothe rear hitch of a vehicle. For example, the bar may include aconnector or connector portion 40 configured to be detachably mounted tothe rear hitch. In some embodiments, base 22 also may include an adapter42 that wraps around the bar and a securing member 44 (such as a bolt orscrew) that selectively secures the adapter to the bar, as shown inFIGS. 4-5. The adapter may be any suitable shape, such as a C-shape thatwraps around the bar.

Frame 24 may include any suitable structure configured to connect thebase to the carrier assembly, and/or allow carrier assembly 26 to beselectively pivoted about the carrier axis. For example, the frame mayinclude a first end portion 46 and a second end portion 48, as shown inFIGS. 6-7. The first end portion may be pivotably mounted to the basevia a frame pivoting connector (or frame axle) 49. Additionally, firstend portion 46 may include a locking aperture 50 sized to receive framelocking member 36 of the base, as shown in FIG. 6.

Second end portion 48 may include a frame aperture 54 and a carrierlocking mechanism 56, as shown in FIG. 7. The frame aperture may beconfigured to receive an axle of the carrier assembly and/or allow thecarrier assembly to pivot about the carrier axis. The carrier lockingmechanism may include any suitable structure configured to securecarrier assembly 26 in one or more positions, such as the stowed and/orextended positions. For example, carrier locking mechanism 56 mayinclude a housing 58, a first locking member (or fin) 60, a secondlocking member (or trigger) 62, a third locking member (or latch box)64, and a link 66, as shown in FIG. 7. Housing 58 may be configured tosupport at least most of the other components of carrier lockingmechanism 56.

The first locking member may be attached to the carrier pivotingconnector and may move or pivot with the carrier assembly. For example,the first locking member may move or pivot between a first position P inwhich the first locking member is adjacent the third locking member whenthe carrier assembly is in extended position E (shown in FIG. 7), and asecond position D in which the first locking members in spaced from thethird locking member relative to the proximal position when the carrierassembly is in stowed position S (shown in FIG. 10). First lockingmember 60 may include a first pin (or first pin portion) 68.

Second locking member 62 may be pivotably connected to the housing andmay be configured to move or pivot between a third position K in whichthe second locking member prevents the first locking member from movingfrom the second position toward the first position (shown in FIG. 10),and a fourth position G in which the second locking member is spacedfrom the first locking member allowing the first locking member to movefrom the second position toward the first position (shown in FIG. 9).The second locking member may include a user manipulable portion 70 anda hook or hook portion 72, as shown in FIG. 7. The manipulable portionmay be accessible through an opening 74 in the housing to allow a userto pivot the second locking member between the third and fourthpositions. Hook 72 may be configured to engage first pin 68 to securethe first locking member in the distal position.

Third locking member 64 may be operatively connected to an end portion75 of second locking member 62 via link 66 such that the third lockingmember may move or slide between a blocking position B and an unblockingposition N when the second locking member moves between third position Kand fourth position G, as shown in FIGS. 7-10. In the blocking position,the third locking member may prevent the first locking member frommoving from first position P toward second position D (shown in FIG. 7).In the unblocking position, the third locking member may be spaced fromthe first locking member relative to the blocking position allowing thefirst locking member to move from the first position to the secondposition (shown in FIG. 8).

The third locking member may include a second pin or pin portion 76. Insome embodiments, carrier locking mechanism 56 may include a biaselement 78 configured to urge second locking member 62 toward the thirdposition, which may urge third locking member 64 toward the blockingposition via link 66. Although the first and second locking members areshown to pivot and the third locking members is shown to slide, thoselocking members may alternatively, or additionally, move in any suitableway(s). Additionally, although the first, second, and third lockingmembers are shown to be unitary pieces, one or more of those members mayinclude two or more components.

Carrier assembly 26 may include any suitable structure connected to thesecond end portion of the frame and/or configured to support one or morearticles. For example, the carrier assembly may include a carrierpivoting connector (or carrier axle) 80, at least one arm 82, at leastone arm cap 84, and at least one restraining assembly 86. The carrierpivoting connector may connect two or more arms 82 and may be receivedwithin carrier aperture 54 of frame 24 such that carrier assembly maypivot relative to the frame.

Arm 82 may include a top portion 88 and a bottom portion 90. The topportion may include a plurality of depressions (or cradle surfaces) 92sized to receive at least one portion of one or more articles, as shownin FIG. 11. The arm may have any suitable number of depressions.Additionally, the depressions may be formed with the arm or may be partof an arm pad or another separate component that is attached to the arm.

Bottom portion 90 includes a slot 94 configured to slidably receive therestraining assembly. The slot may be contoured, curvilinear, and/orrectilinear to retain the restraining assembly. Although carrierassembly 26 is shown to include two arms or pair of arms 82, the carrierassembly may include any suitable number of arms. For example, thecarrier assembly may include a single arm or three arms. Arm cap 84 maybe attached to an end portion of arm 82. The arm cap may retain the armpad and/or may protect the end portion of the arm. In some embodiments,arm cap 84 may include a beverage container opener, such as a bottleopener (not shown).

Restraining assembly 86 may include any suitable structure configured tomove or slide along at least a substantial portion of the bottom portionof the arm and/or to secure at least one portion of the article on oneor more of the depressions of the top portion. The ability of therestraining assembly to be moved or slid along the arm may allow a userto selectively adjust spacing among two or more articles supported onthe carrier assembly. Carrier assembly 26 may include any suitablenumber of restraining assemblies. For example, the carrier assembly isshown to include four restraining assemblies on each arm in FIG. 11.

The restraining assembly may include a first restraining mechanism 96configured to secure a first portion of an article on at least onedepression of the plurality. The first restraining mechanism may includea first restrainer 98 and a first adjustable strap 100, as shown inFIGS. 13-14. The first restrainer 98 may include a sliding portion 102and first receiving portions (or fingers) 104, as shown in FIGS. 11 and13. The sliding portion may be configured to be slidably received inslot 94. First receiving portions 104 may be configured to receive firstadjustable strap 100. First strap 100 may be configured to wrap around afirst portion 206 of article 204, as shown in FIG. 14. The first strapmay include a plurality of first holes 106 with at least some of theholes sized to attach to (or receive) the first receiving portions. Whenthe first restraining mechanism includes a first strap, the firstrestrainer may sometimes be referred to as a “strap hanger.”

Restraining assembly 86 may include a second restraining mechanism 108configured to secure a second portion of an article to the at least onearm, where the second portion of the article may be spaced from thefirst portion, as shown in FIG. 11. For example, the second restrainingmechanism may include a locking member 110, a second restrainer (orrestraining base) 112, and a second adjustable strap 114, as shown inFIGS. 15-18.

Locking member 110 may be slidably received within channel 94 formed bysliding portion 102 of first restrainer 98, and may be configured tomove between a locking (or engaged) position I in which the lockingmember may engage slot 94 to secure the first restraining mechanism tothe at least one arm (shown in FIG. 17), and an unlocking (or released)position O in which the locking member may be spaced from the slotallowing the first restraining mechanism to move or slide along thebottom portion of the at least one arm (shown in FIG. 16). The lockingmember may include any suitable structure, such as a buttonhead screw.In some embodiments, second restraining mechanism 108 may include a lockbias element 115 to urge the locking member toward the locking position.

Second restrainer 112 may be pivotably connected to the firstrestraining mechanism, such as first restrainer 98, to pivot between aproximal position X in which the second restrainer may be adjacent thefirst restraining mechanism (shown in FIG. 16), and a distal position Tin which the second restrainer may be spaced from the first restrainingmechanism relative to the distal position (shown in FIG. 17).Additionally, the second restrainer may be configured to move thelocking member from the unlocking position toward the locking position.

Second restrainer 110 may include a cam portion 116 and second receivingportions 118. The cam portion may move the locking member from theunlocking position toward the locking position when the secondrestrainer is pivoted from the proximal position toward the distalposition. Second receiving portions 118 may be configured to receivesecond adjustable strap 114. Second strap 114 may be configured topartially wrap around a second portion 208 of article 204, as shown inFIG. 18. The second strap may include a plurality of second holes 120with at least some of the holes sized to attach to (or receive) thesecond receiving portions. When the second restraining mechanismincludes a second strap, the second restrainer may sometimes be referredto as a “stabilizer.”

Carrier assembly 26 may include any suitable type(s) of restrainingassemblies 86. For example, one or more restraining assemblies mayinclude only the first restraining mechanism, and/or one or morerestraining assemblies may include both the first and second restrainingmechanisms. Although carrier assembly 26 is shown to include two typesof restraining assemblies, the carrier assembly may include restrainingassemblies with only a single type, such as restraining assemblies withonly the first restraining mechanism or with both the first and secondrestraining mechanisms, or with three or more types of restrainingassemblies.

Although article carrier 20 and its components are shown and describedin the context of supporting one or more bicycles, the carrier and/orone or more of its components may alternatively, or additionally, beused to support one or more other articles. For example, the carrier maybe configured to support skis, snowboards, kayaks, storage containers,etc.

Although the article carrier and features of article carriers have beenshown and described with reference to the foregoing operationalprinciples and preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will findapparent that various changes in form and detail may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the claims. The presentdisclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications,and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

For example, the arm assemblies described above may be readily combinedwith alternative hitch mounted mast designs such as the swing-away rackdesign shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,717 (incorporated by referenceabove).

1. An article carrier configured to be detachably mounted to a trailerhitch of a vehicle, the vehicle having a longitudinal axis and thetrailer hitch defining a hitch axis that is parallel to the longitudinalaxis, the article carrier comprising: a base having a connectorconfigured to be detachably mounted to the trailer hitch, the basefurther including a bar and a frame pivoting assembly, the bar beingattached to the connector and extending outwardly along the hitch axis,the frame pivoting assembly being attached to the bar and extendingupwardly from the bar perpendicular to the hitch axis; a frame havingfirst and second end portions with the first end portion being pivotablymounted to the frame pivoting assembly allowing the frame to beselectively pivoted about a first axis between a substantially verticalposition in which the frame extends upwardly from the base, and asubstantially horizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardlyfrom the base, the first axis being parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe vehicle and spaced above the trailer hitch; and a carrier assemblyconnected to the second end portion of the frame and configured tosupport one or more articles, wherein the carrier assembly is configuredto be selectively pivoted about a second axis that is perpendicular tothe first axis, the carrier assembly including a pair of arms having atop portion with a plurality of depressions sized to receive a portionof an article, wherein each of the pair of arms further includes abottom portion and at least one restraining assembly configured to slidealong at least a substantial portion of the bottom portion, and tosecure a portion of the article on at least one depression of theplurality, the restraining assemblies each include a first restrainingmechanism configured to secure a first portion of the article on atleast one depression of the plurality, the first restraining mechanismhaving a first adjustable strap configured to partially wrap around thefirst portion, and two receiving portions configured to receive thefirst adjustable strap, the restraining assemblies each include a secondrestraining mechanism configured to secure a second portion of thearticle to the pair of arms, the second restraining mechanisms eachincluding a locking member, a restraining base, and a second adjustablestrap, the second adjustable strap being configured to partially wraparound the second portion, and the restraining base including tworeceiving portions configured to receive the second adjustable strap,wherein the second portion is spaced from the first portion, therestraining base of the second restraining mechanism is pivotablyconnected to the first restraining mechanism to pivot between a proximalposition in which the restraining base is adjacent the first restrainingmechanism, and a distal position in which the restraining base is spacedfrom the first restraining mechanism relative to the distal position,and the bottom portion of the pair of arms includes a slot, and whereinthe restraining base is configured to move the locking member from anunlocking position in which the locking member is spaced from the slotallowing the first restraining mechanism to slide along the bottomportion of the at least one arm, toward a locking position in which thelocking member engages the slot to secure the first restrainingmechanism to the at least one arm.
 2. The article carrier of claim 1,wherein the carrier assembly is configured to secure a bicycle.
 3. Thearticle carrier of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a mast portion.4. The article carrier of claim 1, wherein the carrier assembly ispivotably mounted to the second end portion allowing the carrierassembly to be selectively pivoted about the second axis between astowed position in which the carrier assembly is adjacent the frame, andan extended position in which the carrier assembly is spaced from theframe relative to the stowed position.
 5. The article carrier of claim4, wherein the carrier assembly is parallel to the frame in the stowedposition, and perpendicular to the frame in the extended position. 6.The article carrier of claim 1, wherein the restraining base isconfigured to move the locking member from the unlocking position towardthe locking position when the restraining base is pivoted from theproximal position toward the distal position.
 7. A bicycle carrierconfigured to be detachably mounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle, thevehicle having a longitudinal axis and the trailer hitch defining ahitch axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis, the articlecarrier comprising: a base having a connector configured to bedetachably mounted to the trailer hitch, the base further including abar and a frame pivoting assembly, the bar being attached to theconnector and extending outwardly along the hitch axis, the framepivoting assembly being attached to the bar and extending upwardly fromthe bar perpendicular to the hitch axis; a frame having first and secondend portions with the first end portion being pivotably mounted to theframe pivoting assembly allowing the frame to be selectively pivotedabout a first axis between a substantially vertical position in whichthe frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontalposition in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base, the firstaxis being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and spacedabove the hitch axis; and a carrier assembly connected to the second endportion of the frame and configured to support one or more bicycles, thecarrier assembly including a pair of arms configured to support the oneor more articles, each of the pair of arms including a top portionhaving a plurality of depressions sized to receive a portion of anarticle, and a bottom portion having a slot, and wherein the pair ofarms is pivotably connected to the second end portion of the frame andconfigured to pivot between a stowed position in which the pair of armsis parallel to the frame, and extended position in which the pair ofarms is perpendicular to the frame, wherein the second end portionincludes a carrier locking mechanism configured to secure the carrierassembly in at least one of the stowed and extended positions, and thecarrier locking mechanism includes: a housing attached to the frame; afirst locking member attached to the carrier assembly and configured tomove with the carrier assembly between a first position in which thecarrier assembly is in the extended position, and a second position inwhich the carrier assembly is in the stowed position, and a secondlocking member pivotably connected to the housing and configured to movebetween a third position in which the first locking member is preventedfrom moving from the second position toward the first position, and afourth position in which the first locking member is allowed to movefrom the second position toward the first position.
 8. The bicyclecarrier of claim 7, wherein the carrier locking mechanism furtherincludes a third locking member operatively connected to an end portionof the second locking member and configured to move between a blockingposition in which the first locking member is prevented from moving fromthe first position toward the second position, and an unblockingposition in which the first locking member is allowed to move from thefirst position toward the second position.
 9. The article carrier ofclaim 7, wherein the frame pivoting assembly includes a frame lockingmechanism configured to lock the frame in the substantially verticalposition.